China defends Pakistan after it was put on FATF ‘grey list’

China on Friday said that Pakistan must not be vilified and pressured on the front of terror after a global watchdog put the country on “grey list” of countries that finance terrorism.

China calls Pakistan its “best friend” and resolutely backs the country whenever it is slammed for funding and sheltering terrorists.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it won’t comment on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) decision to put Pakistan on the “grey list” and counseled the world to see the efforts made by Islamabad in an “objective” way.

“We will not make comment on the decision of the task force. Pakistan has made enormous efforts for counterterrorism and made a great sacrifice. The international community should view this in an objective, just way and should give more support and recognition to Pakistan,” ministry’s spokesperson Lu Kang said.

“Pakistan efforts in the counter terrorism have not only won recognition from China but also from many countries around the world. In recent years, it has taken positive measures to enhance financial regulations to combat terrorism financing and made very important progress,” Lu said.

“We hope all the relevant parties can view the efforts made by Pakistan on counter-terrorism in an objective way instead of accusing and pressuring it. China and Pakistan are all-weather, strategic partners. China is willing to enhance counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan.”

The FATF on Thursday put Islamabad on “grey list” for failing to rein in terrorists and funding to outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Paris-based FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

Chinese defence against its “all-weather” ally is not new. Beijing has invested over $50 billion in infrastructure projects in Pakistan, which are part of its ambitious Belt and Road programme.